During the hot summer months in Palm City, Florida, it’s tempting to crank up your air conditioner or sit in front of the closest fan. There are plenty of ways to keep your home cool on a sweltering day without breaking the bank. Let’s take a look at six tips for keeping cool.
Close Your Curtains and Blinds
We all like to have a bright home, but direct sunlight pouring in through your window is guaranteed to heat up your house. Much of the unwanted heat in your home comes from your windows, so you’ll reduce the greenhouse effect in a room by keeping your curtains and blinds closed when you’re not there.
Better yet, invest in blackout curtains. They’ll not only block out direct sunlight, but they will also insulate the room.
Turn on Fans
Are you looking for a cool breeze without having to turn on your AC? We’ve got just the tip for you — place an icepack or bowl filled with ice at an angle in front of your large fan. This will provide a misty breeze to cool the area. Although it’s not as effective as your AC, it’s a far cheaper substitution that really works.
While on the subject of fans, many don’t realize this, but to keep your home cool in summer, you need to adjust the direction of the fan. When you set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise, warm air is pushed up to the ceiling. This creates a wind-chill breeze that keeps you cool.
Additionally, turn on your bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan so it can pull the hot air that rises after you shower or cook out of your home.
Grill Outside
Cooking indoors on a hot day will turn a house that already feels like 100 degrees into what feels like a 400-degree oven. One way to reduce this is to cook outside. Everyone enjoys a good barbecue, and, as a bonus, you’ll keep your home cool.
If you have to cook indoors, pre-plan meals to avoid using the oven during the day. Rather, use your microwave or a crock pot. And if you have to use the oven, time it so that you cook before noon or after the midday heat.
Wash and Iron During the Cooler Part of the Day
Just like cooking, choose to wash and iron earlier or later in the day if your schedule permits. This way, you won’t be making your home even warmer.
Much like an oven, a dryer increases the temperature of your home. If you don’t need your clothes right away, why not dry them on a line? Your washing will dry on a hot summer’s day. if the wind is favorable, the breeze will provide some cool air.
Use Natural or High-Efficiency Lighting
To reduce the heat in your home and lower your energy bills, take advantage of natural daylight or use energy-efficient light bulbs, like LED’s in your high use areas.
To save a little more, check if your utility offers rebates on LED or ENERGY STAR LED light bulbs, making them more affordable.
Also, think about painting your indoor walls light colors to reflect more light, reducing your need for extra light and in turn reducing the heat in your home.
Open Windows
By opening your windows at both ends of your house, otherwise known as cross-ventilation, you’ll allow air to move through your whole house. You’ll be amazed at how this tip will cool down your home.
During the summer, temperatures often drop at night. Use these cooler hours by opening your windows at night. If you strategically position your fans, you can create a wind tunnel, cooling down your entire house.
On very hot summer days, you may have no choice but to turn on your AC system. Be sure it that it’s maintained so it doesn’t let you down on those hot summer days.
For more ideas on how to maximize cooling efficiency this summer, contact Grimes Heating & Air Conditioning at (772) 800-6416 and speak to one of our technicians.
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